Therapeutic method and apparatus



Feb. 28, 1939. THlERER 2,148,661

THERAPEUTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTOR 1 5 fll BERT 7770565 ATTORNEYS Feb. 28, 1939. A. THIERER2,148,661

THERAPEUTIC METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR 2445527 77105856,

ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AlbertThierer, New York, N. Y., assignor to Carl Schaeffer, New York, N. Y.

Application April 29, 1936, Serial No. 76,918

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to enabletherapeutic treatment of the extremities and particularly the hands andfeet and is particularly useful in various types of treatment of theseportions of the body.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a method andapparatus by which the human extremities and particularly the hands maybe subjected to a controlled manipulation and massaging of constantintensity and of adjustable periodicity at selectable temperatures andin the presence of predetermined medicinal agents.

Another object is to provide a compact and inexpensive machine forenabling a controlled manipulation and massaging of the hands and at thesame time will enable a maintenance of a desired elevated temperatureduring the manipulating operation.

Another object is to provide an improved, light-weight inexpensivepatting, tamping or massaging apparatus which is particularly usefill inconnect with the therapeutic treatment of the hands and which, at thesame time, maybe I subjected to considerable handling without readilygetting out of order and which may be readily repaired.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most suitable toprovide a portable or '30 fixed casing which may enclose the extremityto be treated, whether it be a hand, both hands, a foot or both feet andwhich will, at the same time support said extremity as to enable it tobe subjected to a manipulating operation.

In one preferred form of the present invention, an electric motor isprovided which drives a tamping or reciprocating pad having a resilientor pliable facing, such as of sponge rubber, which facing will bepressed down 'at desired frequency and with predetermined pressure uponthe human extremity being treated.

The enclosure at the same time is preferably constructed so thatselectable temperatures may be produced within the enclosure and so thatsufficient heat will be available to aid the therapeutic treatment.

In one preferred form of the invention, the extremity for example thehand to be treated, is enclosed in a glove which is saturated with thetreating chemical and then, while the heat is maintained in the desireddegree, the hand is patted as adesired frequency or subjected to adesired pressure between the flexible or resilient face of thereciprocating member and a resilient or flexible backing member.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top perspective view of one form of easing which may beutilized to carry out the method of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side sectional view upon the line 6 E S: of Figure 1 uponenlarged scale.

Figure 3 is a side sectional view upon the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view in partial section of an alternativeembodiment. 10 Figure 5 is a view of a glove which may be utilized inthe treating process.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the casing 10 is provided with a baseII to enable it to be positioned on a table or other supporting surface15 and preferably is made of rubber covered or insulated metal, or aplastic material such as Bakelite or either in part or whole of a heatresisting glass such as Pyrex to enable observation of treatment of thehands therein. 20

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the upper part of the casing is providedwith a dome l2 over the roof 13 (see Figures 2 and 3), upon which ismounted the motor M by the brackets l5.

The motor [4 may be connected by the conduit 25 16 (see Figure 1)leading to an external source of electrical energy.

The motor I is connected to drive the shaft H which is provided with theworm 18 meshing with the wheel i9. 30

The wheel I9 turns on the shaft 20 which is provided with the bearingmembers 2| riveted or bolted as indicated at 22 in Figure 2 to thesupport members l3. On the shaft 20 is fixed the cam 23 which has adepressed portion 24 35 which contacts with and actuates the follower orroller 25 associated with the pivot connection 26 between the links 21and 28.

The link 2? at its upper end is provided with a bearing mount 29depending from the top of 40 the enclosure l2 and the link 28 ispivotally connected at 30 to the links 3! and 32, which together form atoggle connection.

The link 3| has a bearing mount at 33 upon the adjustable screwextension 34, which may be 45 screwed into the nut 36 and be turned inthe opening 35 in the dome I2 of the casing H). The nut 36 enablesadjustment of the toggle 31-32.

The thumb nut 36 in the manner to be described enables exact and carefulregulation of 50 the throw of the reciprocating messaging element andthe pressure which it applies to the hand being treated.

The lower link 32 is pivotally connected at 31 to the transverse member38 which carries the shafts 39. The shafts 39 have bearings, asindicated at 49 on the bracket 4| and between the bracket 4! and thetransverse element 38 are provided the return coil springs 42 reactingbetween said bracket 4! and member 38.

'At the lower end of the arms 39 upon the plates 43 are carried thesponge rubber contact portions 44 which may also be made of otherflexible materials.

The base ll of the casing I0, as indicated best in Figures 2 and 3carries resilient supports 45 for the hand or hands which may beinserted into the casing I through the front funnel like openings 46(see Figures 1 and 3).

As indicated in Figure 1, heat resistant glass window openings may beprovided at 41 and 48,

to enable ready observation of the treatment.

The interior of the casing I0 is insulated as indicated at 49, bysuitable materials such as asbestos, and carries on its face anelectrical heating resistance element 59 which will generate sufiicientheat to maintain desired temperature within the casing [0. If desired,the openings 45 may be provided with rubber linings and other parts ofthe casing may also be plated with rubber so as to insulate theapparatus and prevent undue heating thereof. I

In operation the hands are encased in the mitten of Figure 5 which issuitably impregnated with a desirable medicinal material, the glovebeing most desirably impregnated with an unctuous or any readilyflowable fluid which will be elevated to a desired temperature by theinternal temperature of the casing Ill controlled by the heating device50.

The hands encased in the gloves may rest upon the resilient peaks 45which may take the form of rubber pads or flexible members, the peaks 45forming themselves to the shape of the hands indicated by dotted line at52 in Figure 3, so that the hands will be in proper position to be actedon by the reciprocating pressure elements 44.

Then, the knobs 53 and 54 on the front of the casing in of Figure l areturned so as to start the motor l4 and to initiate heating of theresistance element 50.

The knob 53 will enable a convenient adjustment of the speed of thefrequency of pressure application to the hands 52 while the knob 54 willenable convenient regulation of the internal temperature of the casingl0.

The motor 14 upon being initiated into operation by the knob 53 willrotate the worm l8 which will turn the wheel l9 and the cam 23.

The cam 23 will reciprocate the lever 27 through the roller or follower25 which will reciprocate the link 28 and will thereby open or close thetoggle formed by the links 3I-32.

In the position shown in Figure 3 the toggle will be in extreme extendedposition pressing the sponge rubber or other flexible pad 44 firmly andwith substantial pressure against the hand 52 resting upon the flexibleor rubber elevation 45.

This pressure will be maintained as long as the elevated portion of thecam passes over the follower roller 25. As soon as the recessed portion24 comes opposite the follower roller 25, the toggle 3l-32 will collapsewith the result that the pressure elements 44 will be elevated from thehand momentarily releasing the pressure.

The return movement of the pressure faces 44 will be assisted by thespring 55 which extends between the arm 2'! and the ceiling 12 of thecasing l 0 and by the springs 42 which encircle the rod elements 39carrying the pressure elements 44.

The throw of the toggle 3 [-32 and the amount of the pressure applied bythe sponge rubber element to the hand 52 may be controlled by turningthe adjusting nut 36 in its bearing opening 35 on the top of the casingat l2 which would cause an elevation or lowering of the toggle and ifdesired, this adjustment may be made while the machine is operating.

The time of treatment may be conveniently controlled by the clock 56 andif desired, a connection between the clock and the electrical circuit'may be made so as to cut ofi the motor and the heat when the desiredamount of treatment has taken place.

Several treatments of the character may be carried out with the glove 5|of Figure 5 either being impregnated with new material or a new glovebeing utilized. If desired, the bracket 4| might be made swinging sothat the pressure of the faces 44would also have a lateral movement inaddition to the downward pressure movement, increasing the therapeuticeiTect.-

In the preferred form, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the domed pad 45 mayextend over the entire bottom of the enclosure I9 and it will be notedat 57 that it is flush with the funnel-like or cup-like openings 46where the hands are inserted. 1

By changing the cam 23 it is possible to regulate the character ofpressure which is applied to the hand.

The device of Figure 4 is portable as contrasted to the stationarydevice of Figures 1 and 3 and in this portable device a handle 58 isprovided which is pivotally or fixedly connected at 59 to the motorhousing 50 which is provided with an electrical conduit connection 6|.

The electrical motor 39 is provided with a gear reduction box 52 and anenclosure or bracket 53 in which is received the rotating cam oroscillator member 64. V V

Contacting with the cam or oscillating member 64 is the follower roller65 carried on the clevis 66, said clevis being being connected to therod 61 which is attached to the plate 68 carrying the rubber pad 69,

The return spring causes a return of the rod 6'! when the roller passesinto the recess of the cam64. The enclosure H may be detachable andadjustably connected to the bracket 63 by the thumb screws 72 and asuitable base 13 may be provided. The enclosure II will either be heatedby resistance coils inside said closure or placed below or within thebase 13.

The pad 69 may be caused to partake of both a vertical and sidewise'movement so as to give alternate pressure and lateral massagingmovement to the hand, and if desired, the interior of the enclosure Hmay be provided with electrical resistance elements, to cause aheatingof the hand itself or encased in the glove 5! while undergoingtreatment.

. It will thus be seen. that the present applicant has provided acompact, inexpensive and durable apparatus either to be utilizedin fixedposition on a treating table or to be transported from place to place bywhich a controlled manipulation of the extremities, such as the handsmay be obtained in the presence of suitable medicaments and at aconstantand uniform temperature substantially above atmospheric.

The present applicant is a continuation in part of. my copendingapplication Ser. No, 745,901 filed Sept. 28, 1934. r

It is to be understood that many changes and variations may be made inthe apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention and atthe same time including the essence thereof and it is intended toinclude all such variations within the scope of the present application.So, for instance, instead of subjecting the hand to intermittentapplications of pressure, the apparatus may be so adjusted that inoperation it will perform a rapid tapping or patting motion.

What is claimed is:

1. A process of therapeutically treating the hands which comprisesenclosing the hands in a glove containing an unctuous or othermedicament which is to be applied to the hand at a rela tively elevatedtemperature and in hot condition, placing the hand enclosed in the glovein a zone of relatively constant yet elevated temperature sufficient tocause heating of the medicaments and heating of the hand and thencompressing the love and the hand at frequent intervals with anintermittent release of pressure.

2. A process of therapeutically treating the hands which comprisesenclosing the hands in a glove containing an unctuous or othermedicament which is to be applied to the hand at a relatively elevatedtemperature and in hot condition, placing the hand enclosed in the glovein a zone of relatively constant yet elevated temperature sufficient tocause heating of the medicaments and heating of the hand and thencompressing the hand at frequent intervals with an intermittent releaseof pressure, said pressure being obtained by compressing the handbetween two pliable surfaces.

3. A process of therapeutically treating the hands which comprisesenclosing the hands in a glove containing an unctuous or othermedicament which is to be applied to the hand at a relatively elevatedtemperature and in hot condition, placing the hand enclosed in the glovein a zone of relatively constant yet elevated temperature sufiicient tocause heating of the medicaments and heating of the hand and thencompressing the hand at frequent intervals with an intermittent releaseof pressure, the periods of pressure application being substantiallylonger than the release periods.

4. A device of the character described, comprising a receptacle having aside opening for the insertion of a limb, a pad in said receptacle, asponge, a carrier for said sponge disposed horizontally over the pad,slideways extending vertically in said receptacle, and means foractuating said carrier, said means including a motor, a worm driven bysaid motor, a cam driven by said worm and a toggle actuated by said cam.

5. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle having aside opening for the insertion of a limb, a pad in said receptacle, acarrier slidable vertically in said receptacle over the pad towards andaway from the pad, means to guide sliding movement of the carrier andprevent oscillation thereof, a pliable cushion carried by said carrierin facing relation to said pad and means for reciprocating the carriertowards and away from the pad and causing the cushion to have tampingcontact with a limb inserted through the side opening and resting uponthe cushion under the pad 6. A device of the character describedcomprising a receptacle having a bottom, side and end walls and a cover,an opening being formed in a side wall for insertion of a limb into thereceptacle and the cover having an opening formed therein, a pad in saidreceptacle upon the bottom, a carrier frame in the receptacle extendingfrom its ends and engaging rails to slidably mount the frame forvertical movement towards and away from the pad, a soft cushion seatedin said frame and projecting therefrom towards the pad, and means foractuating said carrier, said means including a motor, a worm driven bysaid motor, a cam driven by said worm and a toggle actuated by said cam,

'7. A device of the character described comprising a receptacle havingan opening for the insertion of a limb, a resilient pliable membermounted for vertical sliding movement in the upper portion of saidreceptacle above the plane of the opening, an elastic limb-supportingpad at the bottom of the receptacle below the opening and in alignmentwith the pliable member, and means for moving the pliable member towardsand away from said pad for acting upon a limb resting upon the padbetween the pad and pliable member.

8. A therapeutic apparatus comprising a casing, means permitting theselection of desired elevated atmospheric temperatures within thecasing, means enabling the hands to be located within the casing,reciprocating pressure members to intermittently apply pressure to thehands while in said casing and while being maintained at said elevatedtemperature and means to actuate said pressure members, said lastmentioned means including a motor, a worm driven by said motor, a camdriven by said worm, a toggle actuated by said cam, a carrier frame forsaid pressure members actuated by said toggle and return springsassociated with said carrier.

9. A therapeutic apparatus comprising a casing, means to maintain adesired elevated atmospheric temperature within the casing, meansenabling the hands to be located within the casing, reciprocatingpressure members to intermittently apply pressure to the hands while insaid casing and while being maintained at said elevated temperature, andmeans to actuate said pressure members, said hand locating meansincluding pliable embossments to fit the cups of the hands on the floorof the casing.

ALBERT THIERER.

